Marking apparatus.



No. 632,527. Patented Sept. 5, I899. G. W. HEY. MARKING APPARATUS.

(Application filed Sept. 17, 1884.)

4 Sheets$heet I.

(No Model.)

m: mums mus on. PNcro-L'rruo. wummrou, o. c,

No. 632,527. Patented Sept. 5, I899.

a. w. HEY. I

MARKING APPARATUS.

(Application filed Sept. 17, 1884.) (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

WfiZ ewast 7 I lire/rial No. 632,527. Patented Sept. 5, I899. G. W. HEY.

MARKING APPARATUS.

(Application filed Bept. 17, 1884) (No Model.) 4 Sheets$heat 2.

Thf. mums FCTERS co, wnovourna, WASHINGTON, n. c.

Nu. 632,527. Patented Sept. 5, I899. G. W. HEY.

MARKING APPARATUS. (Application filed Sept. 17, 1884.) (No Model.) 4Shoets8heet 3.

1 Li l l l I I l Hlllllllll IIII CZ/ d I Pa tented Sept. 5, I899.

G. W. HEY.

MARKING APPARATUS.

(Application filed Sept. 17, 189i 4 Sheets-Sheet 4,

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE \V. HEY, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, ASsIGNOR TO THE INTERNA- TIONALPOSTAL SUPPLY COMPANY, OF NEW YORK.

MARKING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 632,527, datedSeptember 5,1899.

Application filed September 17,1884. Serial No 143,259. (No model.)

TO all 1077/0170 it y concert a2 'structions also the die could onlyprint or Be it known that I, GEORGE W. HEY, of was only in position toprint when the feed Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga, in themechanism reached a certain invariable point State of New York, haveinvented new and in its movement, the theory being that when 5 usefulImprovements in Marking Apparatus, the feed mechanism reached this,point it of which the following, taken in connection would haveinevitably carried the individual with the accompanying drawings, is afull, piece of mail-matter next to be marked to its clear, and exactdescription. proper position relative to the printing-die,

This invention relates to a certain new and so that upon the furtheroperation of the ma- IO useful machine for automatically stamp-canchinethe stamp would be canceled or other celing and postmarking letters orother mailproper print made. Actual practice has dem matter and tocertain peculiarities of the cononstrated that this theory is entirelyerronestruction and arrangement of the same, subous and that such aconstruction is wholly stantially as will be hereinafter more fully setimpracticable. The great variation in the 15 forth and claimed.dimensions and qualities of the individual In order to properly markmail-matter, it pieces of mail-matter make it impossible to is necessaryto accurately define or locate the secure a perfectly-uniform feed whichwill points where the marking-die commences and invariably present themailmatter -at the completes its impression, so that thepostageprinting-point in proper time to register with 20 stamps will becanceled and the post or other the die. Moreover, if the feed slips onthe marks applied in proper relation with each letter to be canceled orfor any other reason other. fails to present the letter at theprinting-point The primary object of my invention is to at the propertime it is manifest that when provide mechanism which will actpositively the feed reaches the point before referred to 2 5 andmechanically upon each piece of mail when the print immediately followsthat the matter presented by a suitable feed, so that letter will not bein proper position to registhe stamps are canceled and the other markster with the die and that consequently the applied accurately andinvariably regardless stamp will not be necessarily canceled, alof thedifferences in the dimensions or qualithough the canceling-print mightbe made on o ties of the separate pieces of mail-matter or the envelopor directly on the impression of other variations in their condition. Isemember. In the latter case the next piece of cure this necessaryresult by the means heremail-matter would receive what printers terminafter described and by taking advantage an offset and would not onlybe not propof the fact that the stamps upon envelops, erly marked, butwould be smeared on its op- 5 postal cards, &c., are universally placedon posite side. The same result manifestly folthe upper right-handcorner near the edge. lows when for various reasons the feed en- Theproper relation of the printingormarkgages the letter to be canceledeither too far ing die to the stamp to be canceled or part away from ortoo near its front edge. The of the letter to which the mark is to beapvital defect, therefore, in these prior con- 0 4o plied will bedesignated throughout this applistructions is that no means forcontrolling or cation as the registration of the die. insuring theregistration of the mail-marking Before my invention mail-marking madieis provided. My invention differs from chines have not been successfulin practical such constructions in that for the first time operation forthe reason that no mechanism I have provided means for controlling the 55 was provided toinsure the registration of the registration of the die,so that the proper die. In all such prior machines the regismarking ofthe mail-matter is insured regardtration of the die depended solely onthe acless of the variations in the dimensions of the curate, certain,and perfect supply of the individual pieces or whether the feedmechmail-matter to the die by the feed mechanism anism slips on themail-matter, moves itirregu- I00 50 alone at the exact instant the diewas in polarly, or in any uncertain or unexpected mansition to make theproper print. In such 0011- nor. In my machine no matter how a lettermay be fed, whether fast or slow, no matter how irregular the feed maybecome the marking member maintainsthe proper registration of the die.

Another important feature of my invention is a mechanism for insuringthe same speed for the marker as'the mail-matterbeing markedindependently of the speed of the feed mechanism.

It is to be distinctly understood that the features above referred toare myinvention considered in the broadest manner, as I have clearlyindicated by the claims attached to this specification.

In the form of my invention shown in this application I feed themail-matter to the machine with the stamped end extended toward themarking-die, and the letter itself from its front or advancing edge,which universally bears substantially the same relation to the stamp, isutilized to time or gage the commencement of the action of the markingmember to insure the proper registration of the die in a mannerspecifically pointed out hereinafter.

In order to enable others skilled in the art to which my inventionpertains to make and use the same, I will now proceed to describe itsconstruction and operation, referring to the accompanying drawings, inwhich- Figure 1 is a top plan view of my machine. Fig. 2 is an elevationof the machine with the frame A and parts carried thereby removed. Fig.3. is a side elevation of the stamping and canceling mechanism, lookingtoward the letter-support. Fig. 4 is a sectionalplan of the same, takenon the broken line as as in Fig. 3 and looking upward. Figs. 5, 6, and 7are detail views of the canceling devices, showing it in difierentpositions during the progress of its work. Fig. 8 is a detached sideelevation of the arm uand its retainihg-spring, and Fig. 9 is a planView of the same.

The letter-support of a machine embodying my invention may be of anysuitable form or size. As shown, it comprises a letter-bed B and anendless supporting belt or apron F, moving over the same in thedirection of the arrows, Fig. 1, the said belt or apron F being carriedby rollers E E, journaled in suitable bearings in the letter-bed B. Thisbelt or apron F is actuated by means of a drivingbelt h, passed aroundthe driving-pulley W and over the pulleys G G on the ends of the shaftsof the rollers E. This belt also passes around the pulleys H II upon theshafts of two feeding-rollers I I, arranged upon the forward end of thebed, as shown. By the use of the idlers K K the driving-belt is directedso that the feed-rollers I I and the belt F will move together and inthe same direction, thus forming a continuous letter-feed, as will beevident from the drawings. In order to give them a hold upon the lettersto be fed, I prefer to face the feed-rollers I with rubber or similarfrictional material, and am thus enabled to insure a more positive feedof the letters to the marking devices.

The frame A, towhich the marking mechanism is conneoted,'may consist, asshown, of two metal plates, which are connected rigidly side by side farenough apart to contain the mechanism of the marking devices. In theopposite ends of the frame A are pivoted the yokes D D, which extendtoward each other and are formed attheir free ends with adownwardly-extending arm D reaching nearly to the letter-support. Eachof these arms is formed with slots, in which are held themarking-rollers R R, connected, respectively, with the yokes D D, asseen clearly in Fig. 4, and held 0d the letter-s11 pport by, means ofsprings i 2 connected to the yokes at one end and at the other end tothe journals of the rollers R B. Each of the rollers R R has secured toits end a cam 70, which engages a' lug or projection -l on the arm ofthe yoke.' This cam, as will be seen in Fig. at, is ofsuch form thatwhen rotated the action of the cam-face on the lug or projection Z willcrowd the yoke away from the letter-support for the purpose presentlydescribed.

Upon the inner side of the frame A at 4 is pivoted a rock-arm a, to oneend of which is connected an arm g, which extends toward the letter feedor support F and carries upon its lower end a roller m, normally engagedwith said support by any suitable means, as a spring 01. To hold thisarm in position without interfering with its action, I provide a link orstrap n, which is pivoted at one end.

to the arm g and at the other end to the frame A and effectuallyprevents the arm and its roller from swinging outward, but permits it toyield freely as the mail-matter passes it. A second rock-arm a iscentrally pivoted at 5 upon the arm a and is at the end 6 connected tothe yoke D, its opposite end being connected by a strap or link I) witha push-bar c, lying substantially parallel with the lettersupport. Thepush-bar c-is connected with the connecting strap or link b by a pin 0on the former engaging an elongatedslot 3 in the latter, the purpose ofwhich will hereinafter appear. One end of this push-bar is formed with afinger c, which is held upon the letter-support by a spring 2, as in Fig4, for making contact with the mailmatter.

The opposite end of the push-bar is connected with a slide or moving bar61, supported and sliding on pins 0, which pass through slots in thebar, as at 0'. A spring f, connected to one end of the bar and also tothe frame, serves to return the slide to its place after it has beenpushed forward, as presently described.

Mounted transversely of the frame A in suitable bearings is a rock-shafte, on which is rigidly secured a catch-bar 6, having its free endengaged with the slide cl, so that the movement of this slide impartsmotion to the arm 6 and its shaft. Projecting upwardly from the shaft 6is a short arm 6 formed with a shoulder r, on which the forward end ofthe yoke D rests when said yoke is in its outward positionthat is, movedaway from the letter-bed. Another catch-lever L is fulcrumed on across-bar P of the frame A, one end of which is formed with a hook s toengage the yoke D, its opposite end being adapted to ride on the end ofthe yoke D and receive motion therefrom. A spring S, bearing on thislever, holds it at all times in working contact with the yoke D. Springst t are used to draw the yokes D D toward the letter-support at theproper times. 7

At each end of the frame A is a roller N, which is normally held incontact with the letter-support bya spring M and isjournaled in slots topermit a slight yielding thereof when a thick letter is passing.

The feed mechanism is made self-adjusting, so as to allow only oneletter at a time to advance to the stamp or marker in the followingmanner: A gate T is secured to the base or frame 0 of the machinebetween the rollersI I and nearly or quite at right angles to thelongitudinal center of the frame C. On the outside of the base O at uand somewhat lower than the gate T, I pivot one end of a lever n, havingsecured to its free end three transverse fingers v 2; o, protrudingthrough slots to w w in the base or frame 0 of the machine. Thesefingers are relatively arranged to bring one of them in front of one ofthe rollers I and the others upon opposite sides of the other roller I,or, in other words, the middle finger lies between the two rollers andthe other two substantially opposite the rollers, as will appear in Fig.2, but the two rear lingers are placed closer together. As a result inholding a tier or package of letters, which rests upon the feed-table U,which, as shown, may form a part of the base or frame 0, against thefirst feed-roller I the letter that is in actual contact with thefrictional surface of said feed-roller is drawn in between the gate androller and thence between the last fingero and the second feed-roller I,by which latter it is fed onward to the bed 13, where it is received andcarried forward by the endless belt F. In passing the letter between thesecond feed-rollerand its finger u the pressure of the letter againstthis finger rocks the lever t0, and thereby carries the other twofingers away from the first feeding-roller, which prevents the nextletter 'from coming into feeding contact with the feed-roller and at thesame time closes the passage through the gate T. The last finger 1., aswill be observed upon reference to Figs. 1 and 9 of the drawings, isprovided with a small rollerjournaled on the finger and serves as a dragor retaining roller to prevent more than one letter at a time passingand also by bearing on the letter between it and the feedroller aids theroller in feeding forward the letter. Thus only one letter can be fedthrough at a time, and itis not until the first letter has entirely leftthe second feed-roller I that a spring 5 is allowed to return the leverto and its fingers to their normal position, whereupon asecond letter isstarted through with a repetition of this operation. As the letter iscarried forward by the belt over the letter-bed B, which aids the beltin supporting the letter, it first passes the small roller m on the endof the arm g, and thereby moves this roller and arm off the letter-bedand rocks the pivoted arm a. in a corresponding degree. The secondrock-arm abeing connected with the first receives movement at the sametime, but is prevented from moving the push-bar c to the same extent asthe movement of the arm g by reason of the elongation of the hole 3, bywhich the link I) and push-bar c are connected. The contact-finger orengager c of the push-bar lies near enough to the feed-belt so that'itengages the advancing end or edge of the letter as it is moved alongover the letter-bed B, and is thereby forced along and carries with itthe slide at. This .movement of the slide swings the catch-lever 6 so asto rock the shaft 6' and disengage the catch 6 from the yoke D,whereupon the yoke is immediately forced toward the belt F andletter-bed B by the spring 25, and the marker or stamp is thus broughtto bear on or against the letter, and by impact on said letter, as willbe at once understood, the r 0ller R as it rotates marks or impressesthe letter by means of the die or printing-surface which is provided onthe face of the roller, the letter-bed B serving as a support while theletter is being marked. As the yoke D approaches the bed B it causes therock-arm a to move the pushbar a and release it from the letter, thusallowing the sliding bar d to move back to its original position and bymeans of the catchlever 6 move the catch e in proper position toreengage the yoke D. It is thus evident that the push-bare, with itsfinger or engager 0', located in the letter-path, as described, 1

constitutes a contact-finger, which through the medium of itsconnections, which have been described in connection with the letter,brings the marking-roller B into action in the manner stated. Theguide-roller m on the arm 9 holds and guides the advancing end or edgeof the letter up to its encounter with the contact-finger c, and thisfunction' is permitted by reason of the peculiar action of the rock-arma, pivoted at a tothe frame A, whereby the said arm a is allowed tomoveindependently of the yoke D. The advancing end or edge of the letter isthereby prevented from crumpling when it encounters the contact-finger.In order to keep the guideroller m in contact with the letter after thecontact-finger or engager has been withdrawn from the letter, whichcontact is desirablein feeding the letter forward, I pivot the arm acentrally on the arm a, as described, and secure the other end of saidarm a to the yoke D, so that when by the action of the spring 15 saidyoke D and the marking-roller are forced to the letter-support formarking the mail-matter the arm a rocks on the pivot 5, which, movingwith the yoke, carries the link I) outward and withdraws thecontact-finger from the letterwithont disturbing the guideroller m.Consequently by connecting the rock-arms a a in the manner described Isecure an independent movement of the guideroller and contact-finger ortrip. Thus it will be observed that as the letters are fed consecutivelyor singly over the letter-supporting feed-bed they are guided accuratelyby the yieldingly-supported arm g, carrying the guide-roller 'm, to thecontact-finger c and that the contact of the advancing end or.

edge of the letter with the contact-finger or engager c governs theaction of the markingrollerR', as described. The arm g and its roller mform a guide, serving to accurately guide the mail-1n atter to thecontact-finger or engager of the push-bar and at the same time serve tostiffen the advancing end or edge of the letter by supporting it inclose proximity to the contact-finger at the moment of the engagement ofthe finger with the letter, thus facilitating an engagement of saidfinger and letter sufficient to efiect the necessary movement oroperation of said finger or engager.

In the rotation of the marking-roller R, which, as previously stated, isjournaled in slots in the yoke D, the cam thereon bears upon the lug Zand without disturbing the roller R moves the yoke D away from'theletter support or bed and forces the yoke past the catch a far enough tomove the end-of the lever L and withdraw the hook s on the opposite endof this lever from its engagement with the yoke D, whereby themarkingroller R is brought into action; After the yoke D has actuatedthe lever L through the medium of the roller R as it rotates it springsback upon the shoulder or stop r of the catch 6 by which it is retainedin position until again actuated by another letter in the same manner asjust described. The inward movement of the yoke D afterit is forcedoutward by the cam bearing against the lug Z, as described, is veryslight and is occasioned by the registration of the depressed portion 7aof the cam with the lug Z, whereupon the spring t' returns the die toits former posit-ion, it being understood that the roller R has beenretated a sufficient distance, so that its die is in position tocommence its registry with the letter immediately when it comes intocontact therewith and that said cam and spring thereby form a stop forstopping the action of the roller or marker at the proper point todetermine the registry of the die and to insure a like registration ofthe die with the letter upon -a subsequent operation and that the markerR is brought into printing action on the letter by the rotation of theroller R.

It will be understood,as hereinbefore stated,

that the described construction, arrangement, and operation of the feedmechanism and the feed.

marking mechanism'insures the same speed for the marker as the mailmatter being marked independently of the speed of the feed mechanism. Inother words,in the form of my invention as shown and described hereinthe speed of the mail-matter at the time the marking-die comes intoaction thereon determines the speed of the marking operationindependently of the speed at which the mail-matter was started by thefeed mechanism. It will also be understood that the points'where the diecommences and completes its impression, so that the postage stamps willbe canceled and the postmarks applied in proper relation registering itsdie or dies on the mail-matter.

The letter or other piece of mail-matter is directly utilized inaccomplishing this re-.

sult, since the advancing end or edge serves to time or gage thecommencement of the registry, and to this end the feed is made tocooperate with the letter in the manner described, while thedetermination of the impression is accomplished by the marker and itsconnections independent of the feed, as previously explained.

The described construction of the marking member and the intermediateconnections between the feed and marking members permit the said membersto cooperate with each other in acting upon the mail-matter and to actindependently if there is any interruption in Also by this constructionthe edge of the advancing letter is utilized to control the action ofthe marking member, so that its die is uniformly and invariablyregistered without regard to the dimensions of the mail-matter andwithout smearing the letter-bed when no letters are present.

As will be noted, the cam is on each roller R and R comprises twoprojections or cam-surfaces and two corresponding depressions k 70.

This is for the purpose that the rollerswill make only a half-revolutionat each marking operation and then be arrested prior to markingthenextletter. While this is the preferable arrangement, itis of courseunderstood that a single cam-surface or a greater number of cam-surfacesfor each roller may be employed without departing from the invention.The cam it upon the marking-roller R moves the yoke D into engagementwith the hook s, and

this yoke is also reset for another operation. It will be observed thatas thus arranged the markers or dies are yieldingly supported away fromthe letter-path and are intermittently movable thereinto, the objectbeing in this arrangement of the rollers to overcome the smearing of theletter-support by the ink used for marking the letters when no lettersare presented by the feed.

In the construction of the mail-markin g machine illustrated anddescribed herein 1 preferably employ two marking-rollers. One of saidmarking-rollers is intended to carry the stamp-canceling device and theother the postmarking device, and the action of the various parts hereindescribed is so rapid that both marks are readily impressed upon theletter in close proximity and in a perfectly legible manner.

It will be particularly noted that the action of each marker during itsrotation is entirely independent of the other and that, one is broughtinto action, as stated, by the engagement of the contact-finger with theletter, while the registration of the die of the second roller isdirectly controlled by the first roller and the connections between thetwo. It will also be noted that the peripheral faces of the rollers R Rare movable into and out of engagement with the mail-matter during theregistration of the markers and that the peripheral face of the rollerR, rotating against the mail-matter, cooperates with the belt engagedwith the opposite face of the maiLmatter to eifect the forward feedingthereof to the printing-point and into position to receive theregistration of the marker R. WVhen the roller'R forces itssupporting-yoke into engagement with its catch, as previously described,the connections between the rollers R R operate to bring the marker Rinto action, and to thereby control theregist-ration of its die upon themail-matter in the manner stated. served that the action of the feed andthe marker or markers in relation to each other is not onlyindependent,but is also intermittent, as has been previously described, and that themember which is intermittent in its action is automatically controlledby means of the intermediate connections, heretofore described, betweensaid feeding and marking members to determine the registration of themarker or markers upon the mail-matter. Thus in the example of myinvention as illustrated the feed member operates continuously when themachine is in operation, and the i'narking member is normally out ofaction and is intermittently brought into action when a letter ispresented by the feed member to act on each letter. lhe contact-fingerand its connections serve to control the action of the first roller andare arranged relatively to each other, so that the first marker beginsto make its impression at the advancing end or edge of the letter andthe registration of said impression is defined or determined by theintermediate connections heretofore described, while the first rollerand the intermediate con nections with the second roller delines andcontrols the registration of the die of the second roller, as heretoforedescribed.

I do not desire to confine myself to the Moreover, it will beparticularly ob-- particular construction of the mechanism shown forconnecting the two rollers and for transmitting action from one to theother, as this may be readily changed without in any manner departingfrom the spirit of my invention, which, as pointed out in the claims, isthe automatic cancelation and marking of mail-matter by means of amarking-die, a letter-feed, and mechanism interposed in the letterpathand connected in any suitable manner to the marker, so that-theregistration of the die or dies is controlled or insured when a letteris presented by the feed; nor do I desire to limit myself to the use oftwo marking-rollers, as this is shown in the present case merely as ameasure of convenience, and both the marking and canceling dies mayequally as well be placed upon the same roller and the second rollerutilized as a feed-roller to control the registration of the saiddie-roller, and thus simplify the construction and operation. Neither doI limit myself to the use of botha postmarking and a stamp-cancelingmarker, as one only maybe used and the other be dispensed with or usedin a separate machine. I also do not wish to limit myself to theconstruction of the guide for directing the letter up to thecontact-fingeiy as its construction may be otherwise varied, the onlyessential being that it must be yieldingly located in suitable relationto the finger or trip for making contact with the mail-matter, so as tosupport and direct the advancing letter to the finger to insure thecontact of the letter with said finger. Neither do I limit myself to theconstruction of the contact finger or engager, as the same may begreatly varied without changing its function.

what I claim is- 1. In a mail-marking machine, the combination of amarker having a die, a feed mechanism, and mechanism-for insuring thesame speed for the marker as the mail-matter being marked, independentlyof the speed of the feed mechanism.

2. In a mail-marking machine, the combination of a marker having a die,a feed, and mechanism operated solely from the edge of the mail-matterfor insuring proper register 'of the said mail-matter and die.

' 1051 Having thus fully described my invention,

having a die, one of said members being -nor-' I mally out of action; ofsuitable connections between said members for controlling the action ofthat member, which is normally out of action.

6. In a mail-marking machine, the combination of a feed, a marker havinga die, a support and means connected to the marker for starting anddefining the registration of the die.

7. The combination of a feed member, with a marking member having a die,and connections between said members actuated by the marking member todetermine the registration of the die of said marking member.

8. In amail-marking machine,the combination with a feed, a support and adie suitably connected, of means for causing the die to properlyregister its mark and to act but once on a letter.

9. An automatic mail marking 'machine having a marker provided.- with adie and means connected to the marker for causing the die to registerbut once on a letter without stopping the letters.

10. A mail-marking machine comprising a feed, a suitably-supportedmarker having a die, and means connected to said marker for starting themarker when aletter is presented by the feed and for determining theregistration of the die.

11. A mail-marking machine comprising a feed for automatically feedingthe mail-matter consecutively to the marker, a support for themail-matter while being marked, a marker having a die, and suitableconnections for defining the registration of the die from the advancingedge of the mail-matter.

12. In a mail-marking machine, the combination of a support and a markersuitably connected and provided with means for automatically startingthe registration of the 14. In combination, a marker having a die,

a support for the mailmatter while being marked, means for forcing saiddie and support together, and means for controlling the registration ofthe die and separating the marker and support.

15. A mail-marking machine for performing the different steps of markingmail-matter automatically, comprising a separator for the mail-matter, acontinuously-acting feed member, a marking member having a die normallyout of action, and suitable connections between the feed and markingmembers for controlling the action of the die of the marking member.

16. In a mail-marking machine, the combination of a feed, with a marker,one of said parts operating continuously and the other being normallyout of action, a support for the mail matter, and means connected to themarker for starting and defining the registration of the marker.

17. In a machine for marking mail-matter, the combination with twosuitably-supported rollers arranged one in advance of the other, ofconnections between the two rollers whereby the engagement of the firstroller with the mail-matter. controls the registration of the secondroller with the mail-matter.

18. In a mail-marking machine, the combination with a feed, asupporting-bed, a dieroller and a second roller, of suitable connectionsbetween the rollers, whereby the engagement of said second roller withthe mailmatter controls the registration of the dieroller therewith.

19. In a mail-marking machine, the combination of a marker, a startingmechanism suitably connected to start the registration of the marker bythe encounter of the starting mechanism and mailmatter, said startingmechanism being adapted to move in two planes arranged at an angle witheach other and being provided with means for automatically resettingitself to its normal position after the marker has been start-ed.

20. In a mail-marking machine, the combination with a marker; of astarting mechanism suitably connected and adapted to move in twodirections when encountered witlia letter and through such movementsstart the registration of the marker on the mail-matter and release thestarting mechanism from the mail-matter.

nected means for causing the die to register but once on the letter,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

23. The combination of a continuously-acting feed with anintermittently-acting marker, a support for the mail-matter while beingmarked, suitably-connected means in the path of the mail-matterfor'starting the action of the marker without stopping the mail-matter,and suitably-connected means operated by the marker independently of themail-matter for determining the action of the marker on saidmail-matter, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

24. The combination in a mail marking machine; of a letter-feed and amarker having a die, one of said parts operating continuously and theother intermittently, with a Lil support for the mail matter While beingmarked, means suitably connected for causing the die to register butonce on the letter, said means having apart projecting into the path ofthe mail-matterto make contact therewith, and means for guiding themail-matter to the contact part, substantially as and for the purposespecified.

25. In a mail-marking machine, a continuous feed for the mail-matter anda marker normally held at rest, in combination With means for startingthe action of the marker, and a stop for arresting the marker in theproper position to accurately mark the following mail-matter.

26. In a mail-marking machine, a continuous feed for the mail-matter anda marker normally held away from the mail-matter, in combination withmeans arranged to make contact with the mail-matter, and a stop forarresting the marker in the proper position to accurately markthe'following nail-matter.

27. In a mail-marking machine, the combi-.

v the other, and a support for the mail-matter;

of means for forcing-said members together, means for separating saidmembers, a contact-finger connected with one of the members, andarranged to make contact with the mailmatter to govern the contact ofthe marker with the mail-matter, and means independent of the feedmember for controlling .the registration of the marking member,substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

28. In a mail-marking machine, the combination of a marker, a supportfor the mailmatter, and means for forcing the said parts together, withmeans forseparating said parts after the marker has registered, acontactfinger suitably connected and means for releasing thecontact-finger and for resetting said contact-finger in position toencounter a second letter when the marker is in position to registerwith the first letter, substantially as specified.

29. The combination of a continuously'act- .ing feed with a markernormally out of action the marker for causing the marker to register butonce on the letter after the marker has been started, means extendinginto the path of the mail-matter for causing said mechanism to act, andmechanism for feeding the mail-matter to said means, substantially asspecified.

31. In a mail-marking machine, a feed and a support, in combination witha marker held normally at rest and away from said support, mechanismconnected with and operated by said marker to control the operation ofthe marker on the mail matter, intermediate mechanism for causing themarker to be moved toward said support to mark the mailmatter, and meansextending into the path of the mail-matter for causing said mechanism toact.

'32. The combination of feed-rollers for carrying the letters to themarker, a tripping device and suitable connections for bringing themarker into operation as the mail-matter is fed thereto. and meansoperated by the marker for defining its registration and stopping theaction of the marker, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

Inamail-markingmachine,aletter-sup port, in combination with a stamp ormarker normally held away from said support, mechanism operated by themarker to control the action of the marker on a letter, asuitablyconnected contact-finger extending into the letter-path, andmechanism between the contact-finger and the st-am p or marker, wherebythe latter is moved toward the letter-support whenever the finger isengaged by a passing letter, substantially as and for the purpose IOOable support, which is held normally away from the letter-support, incombination with mechanism connected to and operated by said marker tocontrol its action on a letter, a contact-finger arranged to makecontact with the mail-matter and connections operated by said finger torelease the marker-support to cause the marker to act upon the letter.

35. In a mail-marking machine, the combination with a letter-supportingfeed-bed; of a movably-supported marking-roller, means for bringing theroller intoaction on the letter, means connected with the roller forstopping its action on the letter after it has registered therewith, andmeans for resetting the roller for a subsequent operation as the letteris fed from the supporting-bed, substantially-as and for the purposespecified.

36. The combination of a letter-feed, a letter-support, amarking-roller, means connected with the marking-rollerand operatedthereby, and a suitably-connected contactfinger, all connectedandarranged to bring the marking-roller into action upon the advancingpart of the letter to control the registry of the marking-roller withoutstopping the letter, substantially as specified.

37. In a mail-marking machine, the combination of a letter-support, amarking-roller normally at rest, a movable support for the roller, meansfor holding the support in position, a contact-finger suitably connectedto said roller-support and arranged to make contact with the mail-matterfor causing the marking-roller to be released from the means for holdingthe support in its normal position, and causing the die to register withthe advancing part of the letter, and means for stopping the action ofthe roller after it has registered, substantially as and for the purposeset forth.

38. A letter-feed and a marker, and means connected with and operated bythe marker for controlling the same, in combination with acontact-finger connected with said marker and moving by contact with theletters in the direction of the letter-feed, and out of the letter-path.

39. A letter-feed and a marker, and means connected with and operated bythe marker for controlling the same, in combination with acontact-finger connected to said marker, and moving by contact with theletters in the direction of the letter-feed and out of the letter-path,and a spring for forcing the finger toward the letter-path.

40. A mail-marker, a letter-support and means for preventing the actionof the marker when no letter is present, in combination with acontact-finger suitably connected so as to release the marker whensaidfinger makes contact with the mail-matter, a spring for forcing thecontact-finger toward the mailmatter, and mechanism connectedwith andoperated by the marker for governing its action, substantially as andfor the purpose set forth.

41. A mail-marking apparatus comprising a letter-feed,a support for theletter, a marker, means connected to the marker for causing the markerto register from the advancing part of the letter when said marker isbrought into action to mark a letter, means suitably connected andarranged to make contact with a letter to bring the marker into actionthereon and suitably-connected means independent of the letter forstopping the action of the marker on the letter after it has registeredthereon, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. 7

42. In a mail-marking machine, a' letterfeed, a letter-support and amarking-roller, in combination with intermediate mechanism for causingthe marking-roller to act upon the letter, means extending into theletter-path for causing said mechanism to act, and a stop for arrestingthe marking-roller in the proper position to accurately mark thefollowing mail-matter, substantially as described and for the purposeset forth.

43. In a mail-marking machine, aletterfeed, a letter-support and amarking-roller normally held away from the letter-support,

in combination with a trip for releasing the roller, and a stop forarresting the markingroller in the proper position to accurately markthe following mail-matter.

-14. A mail-marking apparatus comprising a letter-feed, a support forthe mail-matter, a marking device provided with a suitable die, meansconnected to the marking device for controlling the registration of themarking die, and means suitably connected and arranged to make contactwith the mail-matter, whereby the marking device is brought into actionon the advancing end'of the mail-matter, substantially as and for thepurpose set forth.

l5. In a mail-marking machine, a lettersupport, in combination with astamp or marker normally held away from said support, a pivoted yieldingcontact-finger extending into the letter-path, mechanism between thecon-. V

path, a catch for holding the support away from the letter-path, and acontact-finger connected with said catch and extending into theletter-path to release the catch by contact with the mailmatter,substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

47. The combination of a marker carried by a yielding support, a camconnected to the marker for moving the marker-support into its normalposition, a catch for holding the too marker out of the letter-path,means for mov-' ing the marker into the letter-path when its support isreleased, and a contact-finger suitably connected with said catch andextending into the letter-path to'cause the letter to release themarker, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth. p

48. The combination of a yieldingly-supported marking-roller, acamsuitably connected thereto for moving the marking-roller a supportaway from the letter-path, means for holding the roller-support out ofthe letterpath, means for moving the roller and support into theletter-path when released, a movable rod or bar suitably connected tosaid holding means, for governing the movement of the roller-support,and a contact-finger suitably connected to the rod and adapted to makecontact with the mail-matter to operate the movable rod, substantiallyas described and for the purpose set forth. I

49. A marker, a letter-bed, and means for yieldingly forcing the twotogether, in combination with a catch for holding the two apart, asliding rod connected with the catch to release the same, and acontact-finger con nected with the sliding rod, substantially asdescribed and for the purpose set forth.

50. In a mail-marking machine, a lettersupport and a marker, one of saidparts being movable with respect to the other, and

means for forcing said parts together, in combination with means forseparating said parts, a contact-finger suitably connected with the saidmeans and arranged to make contact with the mail-matter to render saidseparating means inoperative, and means automatically actuated by themarker for defining the registration of the marker and for restoring thelatter means to operative position, substantially as described and forthe purpose set forth.

5 1. The combination in a mail-marking machine; of a support for theletter, a marker arranged to operate against the support to mark aletter from its advancing part, means operated independently of theletter for stopping the action of the marker on the letter after it hasregistered,means operated by the letter for bringing the marker intoaction, and a feed for automatically presenting the letters to theoperating means, substantially as set forth.

52. In a mail-marking machine, a marking roller normally out of theletter-path, means for holding the said roller out of the letterpath,and a second means for governing the movement of the marking-roller soas to insure registry of the die with the following letter, incombination with a contact-finger, and connections between said fingerand the means for holding the marking-roller out of the letter-path,whereby said means is released and the roller allowed to be moved intothe letter-path,substantially as described and for the purpose setforth.

53. In a mail-marking machine, a marker for registering with themail-matter, a spring for moving the marker into action, means forholding the marker out of action, and means for limiting the movement ofthe marker so as to insure registry with the following letter, incombination with a contact-finger extending into the letter-path, andconnections between the same and the-means for holding the marker out ofaction, for releasing the marker.

54. In a mail-marking machine, a lettersupport, a marking-roller, asupport for said roller, and a spring for yieldingly forcing theroller-support and the letter-support together, in combination with alever provided with a catch for holding the roller-support away from theletter-support, a contact-finger extending into the letter-path, andconnections between the contact-finger and the catchlever for releasingthe same, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

55. In a mail-marking machine, a letterfeed and a letter-support, astamp or marker carried by a movable support which is held normally atrest away from theletter-support, in combination with a trip arranged tomake contact with the mail-matter and thus release the movable supportto cause the marker to act upon theletter, and mechanism connected withand operated by the marker to control the action of the marker on aletter and reset the marker in its normal position, substantially as andfor the purpose set forth.

56. In a mail-marking machine, a lettersupport, a marking-roller, amovable support for the marking-roller, and a catch for engaging theroller-support and holding the marking-roller away from theletter-support, in combination with a contact-finger in the letter-path,and connections between the contact-finger and the catch, whereby thelatter is tripped by the passing letter, and means, substantially asdescribed, operated by the marking-roller for moving the roller-supportaway from the letter-path, substantially as and for the purpose setforth.

57. A mail-marking apparatus comprising aletter-feed, a support fortheletter, a marker arranged opposite said support, means connected tosaid marker to cause it to register on a letter placed on said support,means suitably connected and arranged to make contact with a letter onsaid support, means for guiding the letter to the contacting means, andmeans for stopping the action of the marker on the letter after themarker has registered, substantially as and for the pur-- posespecified.

58. In a mail-marking machine, a lettersupport, in combination with astamp or marker having a die, intermediate mechanism for causing the dieto register on the mailmatter, a contact-finger connected with saidintermediate mechanism, and a guide arranged in advance of thecontact-finger to prevent crumpling, substantially as and for thepurpose set forth.

59. In a mail-marking machine, a letterfeed, in combination with a stampor marker normally held away from the letter-path, a contact-fingerextending into the letter-path, intermediate mechanism between thecontact-finger and the stamp or marker whereby the latter is caused toact upon the letter, and a guide yieldingly supported and arranged inclose proximity to and in advance of the contact-finger for preventingthe letter from 'crnmpling as it engages with the contactfinger.

60. In a mail-m arking machine, a markingroller normally held out of theletter-path, a trip for releasing the roller extending into theletter-path, mechanism operated by the roller for resetting it, incombination with a guide arranged in close proximity to and in advanceof the trip for preventing the letter from crumpling as it engages withthe trip. 61. A letter-support, a marker normally held out of action,means connected with and operated by the marker to control theregistration of the marker after it is brought into action to mark aletter, and a contact-finger, in combination with mechanism between thesame and the marker for starting the marker to actagainst the letter,and a guide device arranged in close proximity to andin advance of thecontact-finger adapted to insure the contact of the finger and letter,substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

62. The combination of a letter-support, a

letter-feed, a marker, means connected to the marker for causing themarker to register but once on a letter, said means being provided witha suitably-connected contact-finger, and a guide device arranged inadvance of the contact-finger, substantially as and for the purposespecified.

63. The combination, of a letter-support, with two independent markers,and means whereby one of said markers is automatically controlled by theother, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

64. The combination, of a letter-support, with two independent markersnormally held out of contact with the mail-matter, means whereby theaction of one of said markers is controlled by the presence of themail-matter, and means whereby the action of the other marker iscontrolled by the first marker, substantially as described and for thepurpose set forth.

65. The combination, of a letter-support and two marking-rollers,- witha catch-lever between the two rollers, and a contact-finger connectedwith the first roller so as to trip the same by contact with themail-matter, and means between the first roller and the catchlever torelease the second roller, substantially as described and for thepurpose set forth.

66. A letter-bed and twomovable supports, and a marking-roller carriedby each support, in combination with a catch for holding the firstsupport away from the letter-bed, a secextending into the letter-path,and suitably connected with the first catch, substantially as describedand for the purpose set forth.

67. The-combination, of feed-rollers, as I, I, and a gate as T, with arock-lever, as U, provided with fingers, as or, and a spring, as s,substantially as described and for'the purpose set forth.

68. An oscillating support, as D,andan1arking-roller mounted therein, incombination with amok-arm, as'a, a link as b, a push-bar, as c, a slide,as d, and a catch-lever, as e, e, 6 and springs f, substantially asdescribed and for the purpose set forth.

69. Two oscillating supports, as D D, two arms, as a, a, in combinationwith alink, as b, a push-bar, as c, a slide, as d, a catch-lever, as e,e, 6 a spring as f, a lift-arm, as g, a rock-lever as L, and a hook, ass, all combined to operate, as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name and afiixed my seal,in the presence of two attesting witnesses, at Syracuse, in the countyof Onondaga, in the State of New York, this 13th day of September, 188;.

GEORGE w. HEY. [n s.]

Witnesses:

FREDERICK H. GIBBS, MATTHEW J. DOLPHIN.

